Anal cytology screening in men who have sex with men with HIV at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Risk of anal squamous cell carcinoma (anal cancer) is greater among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We describe the frequency of and factors associated with abnormal anal cytology results in Colombian MSM living with HIV. METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study included MSM ≥18 years old living with HIV screened with anal cytology at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia between January 2019 and February 2020. A multivariable log-binomial regression model estimated associations with abnormal anal cytology. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients were included. Mean age was 35.6 years. Sixty-eight (32.3%) had an abnormal anal cytology result: ASC-US 33.8% (n = 23); LSIL 60.3% (n = 41); and HSIL 5.9% (n = 4). MSM with an STI diagnosis in the previous 12 months (RR 1.48, [95% CI 1.03-2.12], p = 0.032) or with a CD4+ T cell count <200 (RR 2.08 [95% CI 1.16-3.73], p = 0.014) were significantly more likely to have abnormal anal cytology. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide crucial information to guide scale up of anal cancer screening at select centers in Colombia. Our results also suggest STI prevention efforts and improved virological control among MSM living with HIV may have the secondary benefit of reducing the risk of anal cancer.

Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in people living with HIV: A cross-sectional multicenter study from Colombia comorbidities in a Colombian PLWHIV population.

INTRODUCTION: HIV is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There is insufficient information regarding comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors in the Colombian HIV population. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities in patients from the HIV Colombian Group VIHCOL. METHODS: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in the VIHCOL network in Colombia. Patients 18 years or older who had at least 6 months of follow-up were included. A stratified random sampling was performed to estimate the adjusted prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 1616 patients were included. 83.2% were men, and the median age was 34 years. The adjusted prevalence for dyslipidemia, active tobacco use, hypothyroidism, and arterial hypertension was 51.2% (99% CI: 48.0%-54.4%), 7.6% (99% CI: 5.9%-9.3%), 7.4% (99% CI: 5.7%-9.1%), and 6.3% (99% CI: 4.8%-7.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this Colombian HIV cohort, there is a high prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors such as dyslipidemia and active smoking. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures for the prevention and management of these risk factors should be reinforced.

Screening with Anal Cytology in Colombia: Initial Experience and Need for High-Resolution Anoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at increased risk of anal cancer. Anal cytology can be used to screen for dysplasia, with high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) required for diagnostic confirmation. We describe the impact lack of HRA had on management of abnormal screening results in Bogotá, Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes MSM with HIV who underwent anal cytology screening between January 2019February 2020, with colorectal surgery (CRS) follow-up through July 2020. Cytology results included atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Categorical and continuous variables were compared via Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum, respectively. RESULTS: Of 211 MSM screened, 68 had abnormal cytology: ASC-US (n = 23), LSIL (n = 41), HSIL (n = 4). Sixty (88.2%) were referred to CRS, and 51 (75.0%) attended ≥ 1 appointment. At initial assessment, 17 were referred for anal exam under anesthesia (EUA) for tissue resection, and 21 for rectosigmoidoscopy. Having perianal condyloma was associated with recommendation for EUA (P < 0.001), while cytology grade of dysplasia was not (P = 0.308). Eleven (16.2%) underwent EUA for condyloma resection. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have described anal cancer screening in settings without HRA. We found lack of HRA limited management of abnormal cytology in Colombia. Those with condyloma underwent resection, but HRA remains necessary to localize and treat microscopic disease. Next steps include implementation of HRA in order to further develop the anal cancer screening program for MSM with HIV in Bogotá.

Evaluación y manejo del riesgo cardiovascular en infección por VIH. Consenso de expertos ACIN / Evaluation and management of cardiovascualr risk in VIH infection: Expert consensus of ACIN (Colombian Association of Infectious Diseases)

Los pacientes con infección por VIH tienen una mayor incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares en comparación con la población general; los factores que contribuyen al incremento del riesgo de eventos cardiovasculares son la prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales (FRCV), la infección por VIH que condiciona tanto un proceso de inflamación crónica como alteración de la función endotelial y la exposición a los antirretrovirales. Los factores que deben ser objeto de intervención son los FRCV tradicionales, en especial la alta tasa de fumadores entre este grupo de pacientes, la tamización y tratamiento de HTA, el síndrome metabólico y el acceso temprano a la terapia antirretroviral con medicamentos con mayor perfil de seguridad . Esta guía pretende proveer información y recomendaciones en el ámbito nacional acerca de la relación entre la infección por VIH/SIDA (Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida), uso de antirretrovirales y riesgo cardiovascular.

Patients with VIH infection have greater risk for cardiovascular diseases compared to general population. Risk factors that increase the frequency of cardiovascular events are: presence of cardiovascular traditional risk factors, chronic inflammation by HIV that impairs endothelial function and the exposure to antiretrovirals. The factors that should be the target for intervention are the traditional know cardiovascular factors such, especially high rate of smokers, screening and treatment for hypertension, metabolic syndrome and early access to HAART. The present guidelines provides information about the use of antiretrovirals in patients with HIV and its relation with cardiovascular risk.

Inhibidores de Transferencia de la Cadena de Integrasa: Bases para su uso en la práctica clínica / Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors: Bases for its use in the clinical practice

Los inhibidores de transferencia de la cadena de integrasa (INSTI) son medicamentos cuyo mecanismo de acción consiste en bloquear el proceso de integración del ADN proviral al ADN del hospedero mediante la unión al sitio catalítico de la integrasa viral y de esta manera evitar su replicación. Actualmente se cuenta con la aprobación INSTI de primera y segunda generación, presentan similitud en su mecanismo de acción, cambios en su estructura que modifican su barrera genética, pero mantienen su perfil de seguridad y efectividad. Desde su aprobación en el año 2007, se han llevado a cabo múltiples estudios clínicos cuyos resultados han permitido avanzar en el conocimiento de su efectividad en diferentes escenarios clínicos; (pacientes naive, experimentados, esquemas de simplificación y profilaxis, así, como en el conocimiento de su perfil de mutaciones de resistencia). En el presente artículo se hizo una revisión de los miembros de esta familia de antirretrovirales (ARV).

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) are drugs whose mechanism of action consists of blocking the integration process of the proviral DNA to the host DNA by binding to the catalytic site of the viral integration and thus preventing its replication. Currently it has the approval of INSTI of first generation, two of second generation and in process of approval of a third of second generation. The two generations has similitude in its mechanisms of action, changes in its structures that modify its genetic barrier, but keeping his security and effectiveness profile. Since the approval of INSTI´s in 2007 to date, multiple clinical studies have been carried out, whose results have allowed us to advance in the knowledge of their effectiveness in different clinical scenarios; (naive patients, experienced patients, simplification and prophylaxis schemes, as well as in the knowledge of their profile of resistance mutations). In the present article, we made a review of the members of this family of antiretrovirals (ARV).

Candida haemulonii: causa infrecuente de peritonitis asociada a diálisis peritoneal / Candida haemulonii: an infrequent cause of dialysis related peritonitis

La peritonitis fúngica es la responsable del 3 a 6% de los casos de peritonitis asociada a diálisis. Es causa importante de morbimortalidad y de falla de la técnica. El microorganismo aislado con mayor frecuencia es la Candida albicans. Sin embargo, en los últimos años la incidencia de nuevos casos asociados a Candida no albicans y otros hongos, ha aumentado. De estas especies patógenas, Candida haemulonii es causal de infecciones humanas, siendo inusual en pacientes en diálisis, encontrándose un caso reportado en la literatura de peritonitis asociado a diálisis. C. haemulonii supone ciertos retos diagnósticos ya que es un complejo de tres especies que requieren métodos moleculares de laboratorio para su diferenciación. Adicionalmente, tiene un perfil de multirresistencia a los antimicóticos que constituye para el clínico, un reto en el oportuno tratamiento de estos pacientes. A continuación, se describe un caso de peritonitis asociado a diálisis peritoneal por C. haemulonii.

Fungal peritonitis represents 3 to 6% of peritonitis in dialysis patients. It is an important cause of morbidity, mortality and technique failure. The most frequently isolated microorganism is Candida albicans; however, in recent years there are an increasing number of cases of non Candida albicans and other fungal peritonitis. Candida haemulonii causes human infections, but it is unusual in dialysis patients. There is one reported case of peritonitis in a dialysis patient. C. haemulonii generates certain diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because it is a complex of three species that can only be differentiated by specialized molecular methods and additionally, has a multidrug resistance profile. We describe the case of a dialysis patient with C. haemulonii peritonitis.

[Demographics, morbidity, and mortality febrile neutropenic adult patients treated with cefepime]. / Características demográficas, morbilidad y mortalidad de los pacientes adultos con neutropenia febril tratados con cefepima.

INTRODUCTION: Cefepime efficacy for treatment of febrile neutropenia (FN) in cancer adult patients is a controversial issue. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic characteristics and general mortality of patients suffering from febrile neutropenia treated with cefepime in a fourth-level Latin American hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was performed. Study settled at San Ignacio of Bogotá, Colombia. University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2008. RESULTS: A total of 333 patients were treated with cefepime, of whom 125 had suffered FN and met pre established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The general mortality was 14.4%, which was similar to the overall mortality in FN in other reports. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is still no clarity regarding the efficacy of cefepime in FN, its use has not been restricted. This study did not identify an excess risk of mortality in patients treated with cefepime.

Características demográficas, morbilidad y mortalidad de los pacientes adultos con neutropenia febril tratados con cefepima / Demographics, morbidity, and mortality febrile neutropenic adult patients treated with cefepime

Introduction: Cefepime efficacy for treatment of febrile neutropenia (FN) in cancer adult patients is a controversial issue. Objective: To describe the demographic characteristics and general mortality of patients suffering from febrile neutropenia treated with cefepime in a fourth-level Latin American hospital. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed. Study settled at San Ignacio of Bogotá, Colombia. University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2008. Results: A total of 333 patients were treated with cefepime, of whom 125 had suffered FN and met pre established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The general mortality was 14.4%, which was similar to the overall mortality in FN in other reports. Conclusions: Although there is still no clarity regarding the efficacy of cefepime in FN, its use has not been restricted. This study did not identify an excess risk of mortality in patients treated with cefepime.

Introducción: La eficacia de cefepima en pacientes adultos con cáncer y neutropenia febril (NF) es objeto de controversia en las publicaciones científicas. Objetivo: Describir las características demográficas y la mortalidad general de los pacientes adultos con NF tratados con cefepima en un hospital latinoamericano de cuarto nivel. Pacientes y Métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo, de corte transversal en el que se incluyeron todos los pacientes tratados con cefepima en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio de Bogotá, Colombia entre enero de 2004 y diciembre de 2008. Resultados: Recibieron cefepime un total 333 pacientes, de los cuales 125 tenían diagnóstico de NF y cumplían criterios pre-establecidos de inclusión y exclusión. Como desenlace final se encontró una mortalidad de 14,4%, un porcentaje similar a la mortalidad general en NF reportada en la literatura médica. Conclusiones: Aún no hay claridad sobre la eficacia del uso de cefepima en NF; sin embargo, tampoco se ha proscrito su uso y los datos del presente estudio no encontraron un riesgo adicional de mortalidad.